Beaufighter JL520 at Bircotes airfield.
On 15th April 1943 this aircraft was in the care of No.301 Ferry Training Unit and on a cross country training flight over Northern England when the pilot made a landing at Bircotes airfield. The aircraft swung to port which caused the undercarriage to collapse. The port wing, propeller and engine were damaged.
Pilot - Name unknown.
Beaufighter JL520 was built to contract B.65570/40 by the Bristol Aeroplane Company Ltd. at Old Mixon and was flown to 46 MU at Lossiemouth on 20th November 1942. On 26th March 1943 it was taken on charge by No.2 O.A.P.U. at Filton which by this stage it must have been earmarked for service overseas, probably in North Africa. On 14th April 1943 it was transferred to 301 F.T.U. at Lyneham. As a result of the landing accident on 15th April 1943 Cat.Ac/FA damage was the damage assessment and it appears to have been repaired on site with it being returned to 301 F.T.U. on completion of repair. In August 1943 it went to No.1 O.A.D.U. at Portreath. On 31st August 1943 it was flown to India via No.1 O.A.D.U. from Portreath. On 1st December 1943 it swung on landing at Bishnupur and undercarriage collapsed. Cat.B/FA damage was the initial damage assessment but there appears no indication that the aircraft was repaired. It was struck off charge on 29th November 1945.